United, however, have no interest in letting the Academy graduate leave Old Trafford.

Louis van Gaal has installed Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie as his No.1 pairing. But the Longsight-born striker is viewed as an important member of the squad who will get a chance to stake a claim for a first-team place.

While the new United captain and Holland skipper have exemplary scoring records in the Premier League, both lack the pace of their fellow attacker – a fact not lost on the new coaching staff.

Welbeck, who is valued by his team-mates for his energy and work rate, has often sacrificed his personal gains for the sake of the team by playing out of position on the flanks in previous campaigns.

However, with the introduction of the new 3-5-2 formation this season, he will now be in a better position to claim a central striking berth.